Palestinian Leader Calls on US to Intervene in Situation Around Temple Mount

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has called on the United States to intervene in the situation on Temple Mount after Israeli authorities installed metal detectors at the entrances to the holy site, warning that the situation may get out of control, local media reported Friday.

GAZA STRIP (Sputnik) — Friday is usually the day when thousands of Israeli and Palestinian Arabs gather at the Temple Mount to pray in Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third most important sacred place in Islam. The Israeli military therefore expects today to be an especially angry day for protests against metal detectors and cameras, which were mounted at the entrances to the site after the deadly attack on Israeli police last week.

According to Wafa news agency, Abbas discussed the situation with US President Donald Trump’s top adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, urging Washington to intervene in the situation immediately and to compel Israel to remove the metal detectors.

Abbas stressed that the situation was "extremely dangerous and might spiral out of control," the media outlet added.

The Palestinian leader is expected to hold an urgent meeting with his government to discuss the issue and decide on the appropriate response to Israel’s actions.

On July 14, two Israeli police officers died and another one was wounded after three armed assailants opened fire at the Temple Mount complex. The police pursued and killed the assailants. Following the attack, the site was cleared of visitors and closed off to carry out searches. The Israeli authorities also decided to step up security at the site.

Earlier in the day, the police barred male Muslims under the age of 50 from entering Jerusalem's Old City and Temple Mount for Friday prayers due to the threat of mass protests.